CCNY Receives $1 Million for Renovations to Aaron Davis Hall

City College of New York President Lisa S. Coico accepts $1 million check from Councilmember Robert Jackson (center) to fund renovations for Aaron Davis Hall. Looking on are (left to right) Anthony Achille, CCNY director of government and community affairs; Gregory Shanck, managing director, Aaron Davis Hall; Karen Witherspoon, CCNY vice president, government and community affairs, and Johanna Garcia, chief of staff to Councilmember Jackson.

Funds from City Council will further efforts to make facility a premiere entertainment venue for Upper Manhattan

The City College of New York announced today that it has received $1 million in capital funding from the New York City Council for renovations to Aaron Davis Hall. Councilmember Robert Jackson, who secured the funding, presented a check for that amount today to CCNY President Lisa S. Coico at a ceremony held in the facility.

"Councilmanmember Jackson has been a tireless supporter of City College, and, on behalf of the entire College community, I heartily thank him for obtaining this funding," said President Coico. "This will further our efforts to make Aaron Davis Hall a premiere Upper Manhattan entertainment venue, and strengthen our ties to the Harlem community by providing a beautiful setting on campus for live cultural events."

"Home to one of Harlem's premiere theater facilities, Aaron Davis Hall hosts culturally diverse performances that allow over 35 companies and educational programs to use this facility," said Councilmember Jackson, District 7. "The capital funding allocated will restore and repair this institution's most critical issues, so it may continue to provide New York City's multicultural audiences with spectacular performances and shows."

The funds provided by the City Council will support projects to improve the building's exterior, interior and infrastructure, noted Karen Witherspoon, CCNY vice president, government and community affairs. "The work will make Aaron Davis Hall a more attractive and more advanced state-of-the-art facility. It is a solid investment that will enrich the greater Harlem community, and I join with President Coico in thanking Councilmember Jackson for his support."

Aaron Davis Hall hosts an ambitious, year-round calendar of events, most of which are open to the public. The stunning architecture houses an innovative two-theatre performing arts complex that presents public performances and exhibitions by City College students, faculty and staff as well as professional artists.

As the cultural hub of Upper Manhattan and Harlem, Aaron Davis Hall is the only facility of its kind north of Lincoln Center in Manhattan. Its users include groups like Carnegie Hall, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ballet Hispanico, Harlem School of the Arts and many other community-based and national organizations.

Upcoming events include a celebration of Dominican folklore with composer and musician Iván Dominguez, 2 p.m. Saturday, February 2, and Brazilian dancer and choreographer Carlos Dos Santos Jr. Friday, April 26. In addition, a new exhibition, "Harlem Is…Activism," which profiles 30 individuals whose dynamic lives and meaningful work helped define the Harlem community, is on display in the lobby through February 28.